"Cliff"

Cliff Miglioretti hasn't had an easy life. As a young child, he was exposed to obscene traumas, first as his drug-using father raped his eleven-year-old sister right before his eyes. A few months later, that same sister was cruelly taken from life, and finally, in self-pity or perhaps guilt, the father committed suicide, slitting his wrists and passing out in his own blood at Cliff's eight-year-old feet. And there are more unspeakable secrets from his teen years that no other living soul knows about. Now in college, Cliff is a shell of despair, addicted to self-harm and consumed with self-blame. Wretchedly depressed, bitterly cynical, and unable to interact positively with peers, he has never had a single friend in his life. Until now. Liz Butler is unlike anyone Cliff has met. Outgoing, always positive, and beautiful in more ways than Cliff can believe, she attaches herself to him after a chance meeting at school. Soon her smiles and uplifting attitude begin to reach him, and Cliff becomes part of Liz's tight family circle, which includes her brother Jim and sister-in-law Beth. Incredibly, Liz's love begins to heal him. But the road to full recovery is not a short one for someone so deeply tormented. And in the end, Cliff finds he must fight one more horrible battle, and learn the true meanings of love and forgiveness, in order to attain true redemption.